Ethers: Preparation, Reactions and Uses

Name: Ethers: Preparation, Reactions and Uses
Author: StemPy Lab

How are ethers named and made? The Williamson synthesis is the main route. You see why ethers boil low and how hydrogen iodide cleaves them. You see how an aryl ether reacts on its ring, and how to store and use ethers safely.

3 lessons, about 1 h 15 min3 simulations10 problems3 practice questionsPython in every lesson

Created by StemPy Lab

Course outline (3 lessons)

Lesson 1about 25 min
Naming ethers and making them
An ether has an oxygen atom between two carbon groups, R-O-R'. It is named as an alkoxyalkane. Ethers are made by heating a primary alcohol with acid, or better, by the Williamson synthesis, where an alkoxide attacks a primary alkyl halide.
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Lesson 2about 25 min
Cleaving ethers with hydrogen iodide
Ethers boil far below alcohols of the same molar mass, because they cannot donate a hydrogen bond. They are unreactive, which makes them good solvents, but hydrogen iodide cleaves the C-O bond. Iodide attacks the less crowded carbon, or the tertiary carbon if there is one. An aryl-oxygen bond is not cleaved.
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Lesson 3about 25 min
Aryl ethers, uses and safety
The OR group of an aryl ether pushes electrons into the ring. Anisole is therefore substituted at the ortho and para positions, with the para product in the larger amount. Ethers are valuable solvents and fuels. Their vapour is very flammable, and they form explosive peroxides on storage.
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Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers: Chapter Test

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← Reactions of Alcohols and Phenols Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers: Reaction Roadmaps and Multi-Step Conversions →

More onOrganic Compounds with Functional Groups › Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

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Ethers: Preparation, Reactions and Uses

Course outline (3 lessons)

Naming ethers and making them

Cleaving ethers with hydrogen iodide

Aryl ethers, uses and safety

Test Your Learning

Your teacher

Discussion (0)